What exactly do you socrates was trying to explain to his society? Do you this truth lives on today? Is this a personal statement or a statement to society as a whole?
2007-02-06 15:51:56 · 14 answers · asked by Sarah M 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
My English teacher, who loved this quote, explained it like this:
Socrates believed in asking questions about everything. For example, what is justice, really? How can we achieve justice in our lives?
Socrates also believed we should ask questions about our life. We should look closely at our life, and see what kind of person we are. We cannot move forward without knowing where we stand and which way we need to go.
This point is very true in today's world. Many programs and religions call for changing yourself first. This is a principle in Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Because this statement talks about examining a life, I would guess that it is personal and not societal.
2007-02-06 16:11:04 · answer #1 · answered by Rufus Rutendo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it can be both a personal statement AND a statement directed towards society as a whole. I think what Socrates meant was that if you do not examine your life, then what is the purpose, it's quite self explanatory. It seems like what he means, as far as the society goes, is that most people do not seem to really explore upon their capabilities, or go outside what they believe in, to find something WORTH living for. (I dunno...maybe I'm way out in left field, but that's what I got out of the quote).
I think it does live on, even today. People usually have a set structure, a box, of what they believe to be fact. And when they try to go outside that framework things become harder for them to comprehend so they immediately draw back to what they know: their structure. Of course, there have been many exceptions...like Socrates ^.^
Socrates also claimed to know nothing. The more you know, the more questions you ask, therefore, the less you actually find out.
2007-02-07 00:11:14 · answer #2 · answered by third_syren_of_seduction 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This was a statement to the "individual". Socrates believed that without giving in to curiosity and asking questions about life, a person's experience on this planet was worthless.
2007-02-07 00:30:53 · answer #3 · answered by iNeviTable fuTure 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he was trying to explain what the quest for what the "truth" really is/means. What the basic human emotions are and how to view and know them in the raw.
I believe this is a statement that is carried on naturally.
2007-02-07 00:02:04 · answer #4 · answered by soozemusic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't be a lemming and run blindly with the herd.
i think it holds up more today than ever. why be a cubicle worker when there are so many other things you could do? where does living life from one paycheck to the next get you? do i need to go on?
how many lemmings would rather quote "life sucks and then you die" instead of socrates?
2007-02-07 00:06:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most people go through life like automatons---think out-of-control tanker truck plowing through a playground. They act without any thought of consequence. This always leads to harming others. Because they don't know themselves they leave the world worse that they entered it, a net loss.
2007-02-07 01:42:45 · answer #6 · answered by Christicide 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he was speaking on the great amount of greed (avrice) that the athenians had. they hardly looked at themseleves and their life styles. instead they looked to money and wealth. yes this lives on today and its a statement on society as a whole.
starting with the governments of the world
2007-02-07 00:00:59 · answer #7 · answered by LS 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think this could be extrapolated to everyone. Dont run with the herd. Its a true statement.
2007-02-07 00:52:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was not a personal statement
2007-02-07 00:05:36 · answer #9 · answered by zentoccino 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That life is worth living when you live it and wonder about everything, when satisfaction is knowing you feel fulfill
2007-02-07 00:12:46 · answer #10 · answered by hugnat2224 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋